Grains of Knowledge

Food is delicious and we are hooked. Multiple television networks run 24/7 food programming, countless movies are about food and social media is filled with food content. Searching #food on Instagram brings up more than 200 million pictures posted by users in the app.

As new generation of eaters begins to saturate the market, consumer food trends are changing. These trends become noticeable at a macro-level, and farmers need to be aware of them.

Read on to learn five new trends in consumer tastes that may have a big influence on your farm, what you distribute and how you reach consumers.

Food Trend #1: Plant Protein Rules

Americans are conditioned to see meat as the focal point of every meal and the primary source of protein in their diet. However, knowledge is growing about the viability of plant-based protein sources.

Food Trend #3: Hello Fancy Meats

Retail prices for most meats fell over the past year. Most chicken, pork and beef varieties took cuts from August 2016 to July 2017. But this trend isn’t all bad for meat producers. Consumers may be eating less meat, but their interest in paying a price for premium quality is on the rise.

For one, they are more willing to buy direct from farmers or from labels they know to be locally sourced in order to get higher quality, fresher and more sustainable meat.

Food Trend #4: Say Goodbye to Waste

The public is becoming more focused and educated on sustainability. Documentaries, such as Wasted! The Story of Food Waste, are great examples of how this previously untold story is reaching people.

While this may appear to reduce produce and other perishable food sales, a key to eliminating waste is to shop for specific meals rather than a general grocery list. This will lead to consumers buying more perishable food, rather than purchasing foods that last forever.

Food Trend #5: Eating Local

Eliminating food waste relates to sustainability, and buying local gives consumers that same sense of pride in doing good. From 2015 to 2016, local purchasing increased 8 – 10%. Reasons for this increase include:

Product freshness;

Purchase satisfaction;

Economic impact; and

Quality

Consider how your process can change to reach the customer directly. Are there opportunities to partner with local restaurants or retail establishments?

Stay on top of these and other food trends as they evolve to know how to position your agricultural activities. Seek out opportunities to innovate, and be prepared for the changing agricultural landscape.